Photos that look good enough to eat: Alabama food exhibit opening in Birmingham at Pepper Place

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Art of Alabama Food, a photo exhibit that features many of the state's iconic dishes, has made its way back home after exhibitions in New York City, New Orleans, Nashville and Atlanta.

The exhibit, which includes images of 36 dishes featured in the Alabama Tourism Department's "100 Dishes To Eat in Alabama Before You Die" campaign, opens at Pepper Place in Birmingham on Thursday and runs through June 28.

To see a slideshow of some of photographer Becky Luigart-Stayner's images from the exhibit, click on the photo gallery at the top of this story.

"With a large pool of culinary talent and innovative restaurants, it's an exciting time for Alabama food," Alabama Tourism Department Director Lee Sentell said in a media release. "This one-of-a-kind exhibit features images of signature dishes from restaurants across the state. It's a great representation of Alabama's unique food culture."

In Birmingham, the exhibit will be on display in a gallery space in Suite K, near Terrific New Theatre, in the Pepper Place complex at 2821 Second Ave. South.

Exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 7 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

After Birmingham, The Art of Alabama Food will travel to Orange Beach, where it will be displayed at The Compleat Studio at The Whaf from July 2 through Aug. 9. Those hours will be 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.